Word Processor Basics and Features
Word Processor Basics and Features
COMPUTER
STUDIES
Kangundo Boys high
school
1
Introduction
Word processer is an application software
that enable a user to create, save, edit,
format and print text documents.
2
Advantages of word processer
It’s faster create documents with word
processor because of the availability of
facilities like formatting and editing features.
Word processor enables users to proof read
and spell check documents on the screen
before they are printed.
Allows multiple copy printing unlike typewriters.
Enables user to store documents for future
editing if need be.
Word processor has superior documents
formatting features. 3
Basic features of word processor
Allow the user to create, save, open and
format files.
Have spell checker, thesaurus and grammar
checker.
Provide headers and footers, indexing.
Have ability to create and import tables, text
and graphics from other programs.
Word wrap – a feature that automatically
moves a word to a new line if it does not fit at
the end of the current line.
4
Purpose of word processor
Mostly word processor is used for typing
letters, memos, essays, books, reports,
minutes, circulars etc.
5
Examples of word processor programs
Microsoft Word.
Word perfect.
Word star.
Amipro.
PC-Write
Etc.
6
Factors to consider when choosing a W.P.
7
Starting Microsoft Word 2003
1. Click on the “Start”
menu.
2. Point to
“Programs/All
Programs”
3. Point to “Microsoft
office 2003”
4. Click “Microsoft
Office Word 2003”
8
Parts of Microsoft Word 2003 window
9
Explain parts of MS-Word 2003 window 1
12
Standard toolbar
2. Point to “Toolbars”
14
Steps of hiding and displaying the Rulers
15
Creating a document
This is the process of typing text in a clean
page.
16
Steps of “Creating a document”
1. On the “File” menu.
2. Click the “New” (New
document task pane
is displayed).
3. Click the “Blank
document”.
4. Click the “OK” button.
18
Steps of “Create a template document”
1. On the “File” menu.
2. Click the “New” (New document
task pane is displayed)
3. In the “Templates” section, click
the “On My Computer”.
(Template dialog box is
displayed).
4. Select the tab that contain you
want to use.
5. Select a type of template
document.
6. Click the “OK” button. (Template
document is displayed)
7. Create this document.
19
Saving a document
This is the process of making a document
exist in your PC storage media, or on
secondary storage.
20
Saving commands
Save – this command saves the document
without changing the file name or the location.
22
Steps of “Save as” a document
1. On the “File” menu.
2. Click “Close”
25
Opening or retrieving an existing document
26
Exiting from Word
This refers to quitting the MS-Word
program completely
27
Steps of “Exit from Word”.
1. On the “File” menu.
28
Editing a document
Editing – refers to making necessary
changes to an existing document.
29
Steps of “Open” the document 1
1. On the “File” menu.
2. Click the “Open” (Open
dialog box is displayed).
3. Select the location of
the file from “Look in”.
4. Click the name of the
document you want to
open.
5. Click the “Open” button.
35
Steps of “Find” function
1. On the “Edit” menu.
2. Click the “Find” (Find
and Replace dialog box
is displayed)
3. Type the word or phrase
to find in the “Find what”
box.
4. Click the “Find Next”
button.
2. Press the
“Delete/Del” key.
40
Proofreading tools 1
Spelling and grammar checker – this is an in-
built tool that helps the user to correct spelling
errors and incorrect grammar structures.
Thesaurus – it’s a tool that helps the user’s
finds words or phrases with similar meaning or
opposite meaning to the one selected.
Autocomplete – this is a feature displays a
word when the user types the first few
characters of the word.
Autocorrect – this feature automatically detects
wrongly spelt or capaitalised words and
replaces them.
41
Proofreading tools 2
Highlighting/Selecting – it’s the process of
choosing particular areas in the text in order to
apply certain features.
44
Parts of “Spell and grammar” dialog box 2
54
Text formatting
Refers to use of features such as bold,
colour, underline, changing fonts (type,
style) to improve text appearance.
55
Types of text formatting
Bolding – this feature makes the text look thick
and darker than the rest of the text in a
document.
Italic – this is to make the text slant forward.
Underline – this is placing of any line style
under text.
Superscript – this describes text that is slightly
higher than other text on a line.
Subscript – this describes text that is slightly
lower than other text on a line.
Change case – this refers to switching between
different cases provided by Microsoft Word. 56
Steps of “Bold” function.
1. Highlight the text to be
bold.
2. On the “Format” menu.
3. Click the “Font” (Font
dialog box is displayed)
4. Click the “Bold” of the
“Font style”
5. Click the “OK” button
73
Samples of text alignment
Hanging indent
Full indent
79
Steps of change “Line Spacing”
1. Highlight the text to be
line spacing.
2. On the “Format” menu
3. Click the “Paragraph”
(Paragraph dialog box is
displayed)
4. In the “Spacing” section,
select the spacing
required from the drop
down list of “Line
Spacing”
5. Click the “OK” button
80
Examples of line spacing specifications
81
Formatting toolbar
82
Steps of setting “Tabs”
1. On the “Format” menu
2. Click the “Tabs” (Tabs
dialog box is displayed)
3. Enter a new value for tab
stop in the box of “Tab
stop position”
4. Select the type of tab
from “Alignment”
5. Select the type of leader.
6. Click the “Set” button
7. Click the “OK” button
83
Setting tabs using the ruler
1. Click on the “Tab”
button to choose the
required tab type.
Notice that the tab type
keeps on changing as
you click the tab button.
2. Set the tab stop by
clicking where you want
it to be on the ruler.
3. Drag the tab stop.
84
Types of “Tab”
Button Name Purpose
Left tab Text is aligned to the left
98
Steps of “Footnote and endnote”
1. On the “Insert” menu.
2. Point to “Reference”
3. Click the “Footnote”
(Footnote and endnote
dialog box is displayed).
4. In the location section, click
“Footnotes” or “Endnotes”.
5. Select the location of
footnote or endnote from
down arrow list.
6. In the format section, select
the types of “Number
format”, “Start at” or
“Numbering” .
99
7. Click the “Insert”.
Using styles list
1. Highlight the text you want
to use to create a style.
2. Apply various formats to the
text e.g. bold, italic,
underline etc.
3. Click the Styles box in the
formatting toolbar and type
a name for the style.
4. Press “Enter” key to apply
the style name.
NB; you can apply an existing
style. 100
Generating a table of contents and index
102
Steps of “Table” function
1. On the “Table” menu
2. Point to “Insert”
3. Click the “Table”
(Insert table dialog
box is displayed)
4. In the “Table size”
section, select the
number of columns
and rows from arrow
key.
5. Click the “OK” button103
Steps of “create a table using the drawing tool”
106
Steps of insert “rows” in a table
1. Place the cursor where
you want to insert a
row.
3. Point to “Insert”.
2. On the “Table”
menu.
3. Point to “Delete”.
4. Click “Columns”,
“Rows” or “Cells”. 109
Steps of “Merging cells” in a table
1. Select cells to be
merged.
2. On the “Table”
menu.
110
Steps of “Splitting cells” in a table
1. Select sells to be
split
2. On the “Table” menu
3. Click the “Split cells”
(Split Cells dialog
box is displayed)
4. Select number of
columns and rows
from arrow key
5. Click the “OK” button
111
Formatting a table
MS-Word provides facilities that let user
format table border styles and shading.
112
Steps of “Formatting table” function
1. On the “Table” menu
2. Click the “Table
AutoFormat” (Table
AutoFormat dialog box is
displayed)
3. Select the type of
category from drop down
list of “Category”
4. Select the table style
from drop down list of
“Table style”
5. Click the “Apply” button
113
Table conversions
This feature allows the user to convert
table to the text and text to table.
114
Steps of “Convert a table to text”
1. Select the entire table or
row and columns you
want to convert to text
2. On the “Table” menu
3. Point to “Convert”
4. Click the “Table to Text”
(Convert Table To Text
dialog box is displayed)
5. Enter or select the
character to be used as
a separator
6. Click the “OK” button
115
Steps of “Convert text to table”
1. Highlighting text you
want to convert to table.
2. On the “Table” menu
3. Point to “Convert”
4. Click the “Text to table”
(Convert Table To Text
dialog box is displayed)
5. Enter or select the
character to be used as
a separator
6. Click the OK button 116
Performing arithmetic calculation in a table
It’s possible to perform mathematics calculations such as
sum, products etc, if a table has numeric figures. To
calculate numerical values in a table, we use cell
references. A cell is a cross-section of row and column.
Columns are represented by letters A, B, C, …. while
rows are represented by 1, 2, 3 …. as shown in table
below figure.
A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1 I1 J1
A2 B2 C2 D2 E2 F2 G2 H2 I2 J2
A3 B3 C3 D3 E3 F3 G3 H3 I3 J3
A4 B4 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 H4 I4 J4
A5 B5 C5 D5 E5 F5 G5 H5 I5 J5
117
Steps of use “Calculation” functions
119
Steps of “Sorting text”
1. Highlight the text list or
table you want to sort.
2. On the “Table” menu.
3. Click the “Sort” (Sort Text
dialog box is displayed).
4. In the “Sort by” section,
select the type of data from
down arrow list i.e. “Text”,
“Number” or “Data”.
5. Select “Ascending” or
“Descending”.
6. Click the “OK” button. 120
Mail merge documents
Mail merge is the process of generating
personalised letters or documents by
combining a main document e.g. a letter
with an existing data source such as the
contact book.
121
Steps of setting a “Mail Merge” 1
1. Open or create a main
document such as form
letter. Main document
contains the information
you want to distribute.
2. On the “Tool” menu.
3. Point to “Letters and
Mailings,
4. Click the Mail Merge. (Mail
Merge task pane is
displayed). The pane
presents the user with a
step by step wizard that
guides takes you through
122
the process.
Steps of setting a “Mail Merge” 2
5. Select document type. In this
case select the “Letters”
6. Click the “Next” arrow at the
bottom of the task pane.
7. Select starting document. In
this case select the “Use the
current document”.
8. Click the “Next” arrow.
9. Select recipients. In this
case select the (Type a new
list).
10. Click the “Next” arrow (New
Address List dialog box is
displayed).
123
Steps of setting a “Mail merge” 3
11. Click the “Customize” button
(Customize Address List
dialog box is displayed)
12. Customize address list (add,
remove or rename fields).
13. After you finish to customize,
click the “OK” button
(Customize Address List
dialog box is closed).
14. Click the “Close” button
(Save Address List dialog
box is displayed).
15. Save the data source.
124
Steps of setting a “Mail merge” 4
16. After you save the data
source, “Mail Merge
Recipients” dialog box is
displayed. Click the “OK”
button of this dialog box.
17. A Mail Merge toolbar is
added onto the data source.
Move the mouse pointer to
get the tool tip for each
button as shown left above
figure.
18. Edit data source to type
recipients data.
19. Click the “Next” arrow.
20. Click the “More items”
(Insert Merge Field dialog125
box is displayed).
Steps of setting a “Mail Merge” 5
130
Steps of “Insert a graphics from clip art gallery”
1. Position the insertion pointer
where you want your object
to be inserted.
2. On the “Insert” menu
3. Point to “Picture”
4. Click the “Clip Art” (Clip Art
task pane is displayed)
5. Type the category name in
the “Search for” box
6. Click the “Go” button (Some
graphics are displayed)
7. Select a graphics and click
the “Insert” of drop down
menu. 131
Steps of “Insert an image from a scanner”
1. Position the insertion pointer
where you want your picture
to appear
2. On the “Insert” menu
3. Point to “Picture”
4. Click the “From Scanner or
Camera”
5. To scan, follows the
instructions that come with
your scanner
6. When the image appears on
the screen you can edit
format it as required, the
same way you would with a
132
clipart.
Steps of “Inserting a picture from another
file.
1. Position the insertion
pointer where you want
your picture placed.
2. On “Insert” menu.
3. Point to “Picture”.
4. Click “From File” (Insert
Picture dialog box is
displayed).
5. Locate the file that contain
the image you want to
insert e.g. My Picture.
6. Select the object you want
to insert.
7. Click the “Insert” button.
133
Steps of “Insert graphics from Drawing Tools”
1. Click anywhere
inside it, the place
holder appear.
2. To move it, hold
down the mouse
button and drag.
3. To resize it, place
the pointer at one of
the place holders
and drag.
138
Steps of “fill the object with colour”
1. Double click the
object (Format
AutoShape dialog
box is displayed).
2. Select the “Colors
and Lines” tab.
3. In the Fill section,
select the colour you
want to fill from drop
down list of Color.
4. Click the “OK” button.
139
Steps of “fill effects”
1. Double click the object
(Format AutoShape dialog
box is displayed).
2. Select the “Colors and
Lines” tab.
3. In the Fill section, click the
“Fill Effect” from drop down
list of Color (Fill Effect
dialog box is displayed).
4. Select the appropriate fill
effect.
5. Click “OK” button of Fill
Effect dialog box.
6. Click “OK” button of Format
AutoShape dialog box..140
Inserting symbol
A symbol is a special character that is not
included on the standard keyboard. For
example, Ø and ù are symbols that are not
available on the standard keyboard.
141
Steps of insert a “Symbol”
1. Move the text cursor to
the position where the
new symbol will be
inserted.
2. On the “Insert” menu.
3. Click the “Symbol”
(Symbol dialog box is
displayed).
4. Select a symbol you
want to insert from list.
5. Click the “Insert” button.
6. Click the “Close” button.142
Printing
The choice of printer depends on the
quality of hardcopy desired. Before
printing it’s important that you preview
your document. To confirm that no details
are outside the printable area. To ensure
that the document layout is okay.
143
Steps of “Print” function
1. On the “File” menu
2. Click the “Print” (Print
dialog box is displayed)
3. Select printer, page
range and number of
copies.
4. Click the “OK” button
146
Answer of review questions 1-2
6. Making a document attractive by bolding,
italicising, bordering, colouring, etc.
7. Type over – deletes current text at cursor
position and inserts new text.
Insert mode – pushes old text away as
new text is inserted at cursor position.
8. Automatically moving a word to the
beginning of a new line if it cannot fit at
the end of the previous line without
pressing outer key.
147
Review questions 2
1. State two examples of word processing
programs.
2. What is a toolbar?
3. Explain how you can protect a document from
unauthorised opening or altering.
4. What is meant by the terms creating and
editing a document?
5. How can you save a document to a different
word processor format?
6. Define the tem scrolling.
7. Explain the importance of the status bar.
148
Answer of review questions 2
1. Microsoft Word, Wordstar, Lotus Wordpro,
Wordperfect.
2. A group of shortcut command icons arranged on a
single graphical structure.
3. Use passwords to prevent opening or editing.
4. Creating – typing text in a new document screen.
Editing – making changes to an already existing
document.
5. Click file then Save as command. In the save as dialog
box, select a format type in the File of type box. Click
Save button to save.
6. Moving of on screen pages up, down, left and right.
7. Help the user to interact with the application because it
displays the processing status of the application. 149
Review questions 3-1
1. Explain the meaning of the term blocking text?
2. What is the difference between copying and moving text?
3. When is the find and replace command used?
4. What is a wildcard? How can it be used to search for a
word that starts with the letter “O” in a document.
5. What is the difference between just searching for a
particular word in a document and searching for a word
that is whole?
6. Explain the importance of proofreading a document.
7. Give two methods of proofreading a prepared document.
8. Give the two types of dictionaries that are used by a spell
checker program. Which one is likely to have non-English
words and why?
150
Review questions 3-2
9. Name any five parts of the Microsoft Word application
window.
10. Give any five document formatting.
11. Give any five document formatting feature.
12. What is a thesaurus?
13. Distinguish between the autocomplete and the
autocorrect feature in word processing.
14. Hassan has a problem when typing; every time he
wishes to type the word Good, he mistakenly types
God. What can he do to continue typing without
worrying about having to go back to correct the same
word over and over again?
15. Explain the use of undo and redo commands.
151
Answer of review questions 3-1
1. Selecting several lines of text in order to work with them as a
whole.
2. Copying – making a duplicate copy of text. Moving – relocating
text from one place in a document to another.
3. To search for words that you want substituted by others.
4. A special character e.g. * or? Used to represent a set of words
that have some similar characteristics. Type 0 followed by
asterisk (*).
5. Searching for a word will find the word even when it is part of
other words e.g. searching for spell will also find Spelling and
Spellchecker. However, if you search for a whole word, only the
whole independent text will be found, e.g. only Spell and no other
will be found.
6. Eliminate mistakes to improve a document readability.
7. Spelling and grammar checker, Thesaurus, and
Autocomplete/Autotext/autocorrect.
152
Answer of review questions 3-2
8. Standard dictionary and custom dictionary.
custom dictionary – words can be added.
9. Title bar, Menu bar, Editing screen, Rulers, Toolbars and status
bar.
10. Enhancing a document’s appearance by bolding, italicising, etc.
11. Bolding, Font colouring, Text alignment, Font type, Setting tabs,
Underlining, Italicising and Font size.
12. Thesaurus provides synonyms or words that have same meaning
as the one selected.
13. Autocomplete – helps a person to type quickly by completing a
word that has already started to be typed by the user
automatically. Autocorrect – automatically replaces mistyped
words with the correct ones as set by the use.
14. Set the autocorrect feature to automatically detect and replace
the word God with Good.
15. Undo – reverses the latest action. Redo – does the undone
action. 153
Review questions 4
1. Give at least four examples of fonts available in
Microsoft Word.
2. Outline the procedure for inserting:
3. Page numbers;
A) Footnotes and endnotes;
B) Headers and footers;
C) What is a tab? Why are tab stops important in a
document?
4. Explain the importance of drop cap in a document.
5. What is line spacing? Give any two line spacing
specifications.
6. Give and explain four text alignment features. 154
Answer of review questions 4
1. Times New Roman, Arial, Bookman Old Style, Comic Sans
MS, etc.
2. A). Click Insert menu, Page numbers.
B). Click Insert menu, Reference.
C). Click View menu, Header and Footer.
3. A tab spacing is a short distance moved by the text cursor
when the tab key on the keyboard is pressed. It is used to align
text on the page.
4. Drop cap emphasises a particular starting word in a paragraph.
5. The distance between two text lines in a document. Examples
include single space, double space, etc.
6. Left alignment, Center alignment, Right alignment and Justified.
155
Review questions 5
1. Differentiate between drawing and inserting a table in a document.
2. Define the term cell in reference to tables.
3. Give a reason why in may be necessary to merge cells in a table.
4. Define the term sorting.
5. Explain how you can convert some typed text into a table using
Microsoft Word.
6. What would happen to the cursor in a table when the following actions.
A) Pressing the tab key.
B) Pressing the shift+tab key.
C) Pressing the enter key.
7. Define the term function as used in table calculations.
8. Define each of the following:
A) A form letter.
B) A data source.
C) Mail merge.
156
9. List four ways of merging a document with its data source
Answer of review questions 5
1. Drawing – use the pen tool to draw the table. Inserting table – use the Table
menu-Insert-Table command.
2. Cell – section between a row and a column.
3. To create larger cells in a table without increasing the height or width of
existing cells.
4. Arranging text in ascending or descending order.
5. Highlight the text then click Table-Convert text to table.
6. A). Moves text cursor one column to the right in the same row.
B). Moves text cursor one column to the left in the same row.
C). Increases cell height.
7. Mathematical formula that accomplish calculations in a table.
8. A). Common letter (main document) that is to be personalised.
B). A file of data records of the people that will receive the form letter.
C). Combining the data source with the form letter or main document.
9. Merge to fax, Merge to printer, Merge to e-mail and Merge to new
document. 157
Revision questions
1. Define the term graphic and give one example.
2. Explain how to achieve the following
A) To move a graphic from one place on the page to another.
B) To change the brightness of a graphic.
3. List three sources of graphics that can be used in Microsoft Word.
4. What is an autoshape?
5. How can you do the following
A) Change the thickness of an autoshape outline;
B) Fill an autoshape with colour;
C) Enter text in an autoshape.
6. What is the difference between object linking and embedding?
7. Describe how you would increase the size of a clip art that is
embedded in a document.
8. Give any three sources of images or objects in a word processor.
9. Explain the concept of importing objects into a word processor.
158
Answer of revision questions
1. A graphic is a non-text object like a picture, drawing, etc. e.g. clipart.
2. A). Click it to select then drag.
B). Click it then click the increase brightness button on picture toolbar.
3. From scanner, from file and clipart.
4. A graphic image that is predefined in shape but the user draws it by
selecting it then dragging its size on the screen.
5. A). Select it then choose a different line thickness on the drawing toolbar.
B). Select it then choose a fill pattern from the fill bucket on toolbar.
C). Right click the autoshape then select the Enter text command. Type the
text then click a blank area on the screen to apply.
6. Linking – object imported can only be edited in the original application from
which it was created. Embedding – object imported becomes part of the
current application and can be edited there.
7. Click it to select it, then drag handles to increase size.
8. Import from file, from clip gallery and by drawing.
9. This refers to inserting a picture or clipart from a different application 159
storage or Internet.
Practical activity 1
Jitegemee Self Help Group is a society of young
entrepreneurs. The Group is in the process of writing a
proposal in order to get funding from one of the NGOs and
the government. The secretary of the Group, Mr. Kagezi has
requested you to type for him a five page handwritten
proposal.
165
Types of spreadsheets
Electronic spreadsheet – this spreadsheet is
prepared using a computer program that
enables the user to enter values in rows and
columns and manipulate them
mathematically using formulae.
166
Manual spreadsheet – this
spreadsheet consists of a book
like ledger with many sheets of
papers divided into rows and
columns on which data elements
are entered manually using a
pen or pencil
167
Advantages of electronic spreadsheet
Entries made using spreadsheet are faster and
accurate.
It offers a large area for data entry and
manipulation.
Electronic spreadsheet produces neat and
presentable output.
It has better documentation formatting capabilities.
It has inbuilt formulae called functions that enables
the user to quickly manipulate mathematical data.
Has ability to perform automatic recalculation.
It utilizes large storage space on computer storage
devices to save and retrieve documents. 168
Examples of spreadsheets
programs
Viscal
Lotus 1-2-3
Microsoft Excel
VP – Planner
169
Components of spreadsheet
(Worksheet and Database)
1. Worksheet – this is the
component in which data
values are entered. It’s
made up to of rows and
columns.
171
Examples of graphs found in MS-Excel
Pie chart
172
NAMES ENG KISW MAT BIO CHEM GEO COMP
ALEX MANTHI 40 96 90 78 56 78 78
JAMES MUNYAO 50 86 80 87 78 49 66
JONNES MUKIYO 56 58 70 98 78 78 89
ONESMUS KIMEU 78 78 60 79 45 45 67
173
Application areas of spreadsheet 1
Accounting – many accountants and business
people find spreadsheet a useful tool to use in
recording daily transactions and keeping of financial
records. Spreadsheet comes with inbuilt functions
that make accounting tasks easier.
Data management – spreadsheet enables neat
arrangement of data into tabular structure. Data
management functions include sorting, filtering,
using forms to enter and view records.
Statistical analysis – spreadsheets have in-built
statistical analysis tools that can speed up data
manipulation. Some of statistical functions found in
MS-Excel are: Average, Maximum, Median,
Minimum, Mode, Sum etc. 174
Application areas of spreadsheet 2
Forecasting (“What if analysis”) – this feature
involves changing the value of one of the
arguments in a formula to see the difference
the change would make on the result of the
calculation.
Scientific application – engineers, scientific
and technical users store empirical data,
perform statistical analysis, build and prepare
complex mathematical models using
spreadsheet.
Home/personal use – this involves tracking
cash flow, preparing household budgets and
personal financial statements. 175
Starting Microsoft Excel
1. Click on the “Start”
menu.
2. Point to
“Programs/All
Programs”.
3. Point to “Microsoft
Office 2003”.
4. Click “Microsoft
Office Excel 2003”.
176
Parts of MS-Excel windows
1. Title bar
2. Menu bar
3. Standard toolbar
4. Formatting toolbar
5. Name box (Cell address)
6. Formula bar
7. Column header
8. Row header
9. Vertical scroll bar
10. Horizontal scroll bar
11. Worksheet tab
12. Cell pointer
13. Status bar
14. Worksheet 177
Microsoft Excel application window 1
1. Title bar – it displays the title of the application and control
buttons for minimising, maximise and closing application.
2. Menu bar – displays a list of menu options e.g. inserts, view,
edit etc.
3. Standard tool bars – has shortcuts to some of the most
commonly used menu commands e.g. copy, cut etc.
4. Standard tool bar – has also shortcuts to some of the most
commonly used menu commands e.g. bold, italic etc.
5. Name box (Cell address) – is the combination of a column
header and a row header the indicate of a specific cell.
6. Formula bar – it enables the user to enter or edit a formula or
data in a cell.
7. Column header – indicates vertical direction of the cell. It is
located above the worksheet and lined up in order to the 178
alphabet.
Microsoft Excel application window 2
8. Row header – indicates horizontal direction of the cell. It is
located left the worksheet and lined up in order to the figure.
9. Vertical scroll bar – the user drags to scroll upward or
downwards of a worksheet.
10. Horizontal scroll bar – the user drags to scroll right or left of a
worksheet.
11. Worksheet tab – shows the number of worksheets in the
workbook.
12. Cell pointer – it marks the position of the current cell or the
insertion point.
13. Status bar – displays information about the program currently
running.
14. Worksheet – consists of cell, rows and columns where data is
entered.
15. Workbook – it consists of several worksheets. 179
Other parts of MS-Excel
Cells – a cell is an intersection between a row
and a column. A column is a vertical
arrangement of cells labelled A,B,C… while a
row is the horizontal arrangement labelled
1,2,3…
Active cell pointer – a cell pointer indicates the
current active cell. It is highlighted with a dark
outline.
Cell address – the cell address id the
combination of a column header and a row
header that indicate the location of a specific cell
such as A1, B2, C3 etc.
180
Navigation the MS-Excel screen 1
1. Click cell D5. notice that
the cell pointer
immediately moves to he
cell and the name box
reads D5. typing on the
keyboard now inserts
entries in cell D5 as long
as the pointer is still there.
2. Click letter A that heads
the first column. Notice
that the whole column is
highlighted.
181
Navigation the MS-Excel screen 2
3. Double click cell E10.
Notice that the insertion
pointer blinks in the cell
and you can start typing
characters inside the
cell.
189
Cell data types
There are four basic types of data used in
spreadsheet.
Labels
Values
Formulae
Functions
190
Labels
Any text or
alphanumeric
characters entered in a
cell are viewed as
labels in a spreadsheet
program. Labels can
be row and column
headings used to
describe the contents
of row or column e.g.
class, name, sex etc.191
Values
They are numbers
that can be
manipulated
mathematically e.g.
currency, data,
numbers (0-9) etc.
192
Formulae
They are user
designed mathematical
expressions that create
a relationship between
cells and return a value
in a chosen cell.
194
Steps of saving a workbook
1. On the “File” menu
2. Click “Save as” (Save as
dialog box is displayed).
3. Select the location in which
your workbook will be
saved in the “Save in” box
4. Type a unique name for the
workbook in the “File name”
box.
5. Click the “Save” button.
2. Click “Close”
2. Click “Exit”.
198
Block operations
Performing calculations on a worksheet
data involves block operations. A block of
selected cells in a worksheet is referred to
as a range. A range is specified by the
address of its top left and bottom right
cells or using a name.
199
Steps of “select a range of continuous cells”
206
Steps of “Autofill”
1. Select the cell which is
containing a formula or
word or figure.
2. Place the mouse pointer
bottom right corner of
the selected cell, then
pointer sign will be
changed to black cross.
3. Move the black cross
pointer up to where you
want to make a copy
using drag and drop.
(down, up, left or right).
207
Cell references
A cell reference identifies a cell or a range of
cells on the worksheet and shows Microsoft
Excel where to look for the values or data
needed to use in formulas. MS-Excel uses the
A1 cell reference style that identifies a cell by
its column label followed by row number e.g.
B1, E10 etc. RICI reference style can also be
used where a cell is referenced by its row
number followed by its column number e.g. R3,
C4, R5, C20 etc.
208
Relative reference
This is a cell reference
whose cell references
keep on changing
automatically depending
on their position in the
worksheet e.g. if you
type formula
=B2+C2
in cell D2 if the formula
is copied to cell D3 it
automatically changes to
=B3+ C3.
209
Absolute referencing
This is used when you
copy a formula to
different cell and you
don’t want Excel to
adjust references. To
make a formula
absolute, add a dollar
sign before the parts of
cell reference that do
not change
e.g. =A5×$B$2. 210
Mixed cell referencing
This is a combination of relative and absolute
reference
e.g. $A3 or A$3
in the first case the column reference is absolute
while the row is relative, in the second case the
column reference is relative while the row
reference is absolute.
211
Using in-built functions
A function must start with an (=) sign followed
the function name and arguments. Argument are
numeric, logical values or text enclosed in
parenthesis. For example, in =SUM(A3:F3),
SUM is the function that adds the range A3 to F3
which is the argument. In MS-Excel, functions
are categorized according to the nature of
problems they work on. We shall look at the
following categories of in-built functions;
Mathematical
Statistical
Logical
Date and time 212
Steps of “using in-built functions”
1. On the “Insert” menu.
2. Click “function”
(“Insert Function”
dialog box is
displayed).
3. Select the category.
4. In the function list box,
select a function
5. Specify the function
argument then click
“OK”. 213
Basic functions and formulae
A formula is a sequence of values, cell
references, names, functions or operators
in a cell that together produce a new value
while a function is an in-built formula for
solving standard problems.
214
Mathematical functions (SUM)
Add all the value in the selected in the
range of cells. For example if A3, B3 and
C3 contains 20, 50 and 80 respectively,
=SUM(A3:C3)
returns 150.
215
Steps of “SUM” function
1. Select the cell where you
want to return the sum
value.
2. Click the “Autosum”
command on the standard
toolbar. (formula is
displayed in the cell which
you selected).
3. Select the range for add the
numbers in a range of cell
using drag and drop. (data
range is displayed in the
brackets).
4. Type “Enter” key.
216
Mathematical functions (ROUND)
Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal
places. Zero round off the number to the nearest integer.
For example
=ROUND(49.769,1)
returns 49.8.
while
=ROUND(49.769,0)
=SUMIF(A3:A10,”>=1000”)
219
Steps of “SUMIF” functions
1. Select the cell where you want to
return the sumif value.
2. Click “fx” command on the
formula bar.
3. Select “Math & Trig” category
from the down arrow list.
4. Select a function “SUMIF” from
the list.
5. Click “OK” button.
6. Select the range you want to
evaluate using drag and drop.
7. Type the criteria which is the
condition or criteria in the form of
a number, expression or text that
defines which cells will be added.
8. Click “OK” button.
220
Mathematical functions (PRODUCT)
Multiplies all the values in the arguments.
For example,
=PRODUCT(40,3,2)
returns 240.
221
Steps of “PRODUCT” function
1. Select the cell where you want to
return the product value.
2. On the “Insert” menu.
3. Click “Function” .
4. Type “Product” in the search box.
5. Click “GO” button.
6. Select “PRODUCT” from the
select a function list.
7. Click “OK” button.
8. Select the range in the “Number1”
box where you want to multiply
using drag and drop.
9. If you want to multiply other range,
insert that range in the “Number 2”
box using drag and drop.
10. Click “OK” button.
222
Statistical functions (AVERAGE)
It returns the average (mean) of a set of
values which can be numbers, arrays or
references that contain numbers e.g. value
20 is in cell B2 and 10 in cell C2 then
= AVERAGE(B2:C2)
=COUNT(B2:E7)
225
Steps of “COUNT” function
1. Select the cell where you
want to return the count
figure.
2. Click the down arrow of
“Autosum” command on the
standard toolbar.
3. Click the “Count” (formula is
displayed in the cell which
you selected).
4. Select the range for count
using drag and drop. (data
range is displayed in the
brackets).
5. Type “Enter” key.
226
Statistical function (COUNTIF)
Conditionally counts the number of cells
within a range that meets a given
condition. For example, if A3, B3, C3, D3
and E3 contain 20, 50, 80, 60 and 45
respectively then
=COUNTIF(A3:E3,”>50”)
returns 2.
227
Steps of “COUNTIF” functions
1. Select the cell where you want to
return the countif figure.
2. On the “Insert” menu.
3. Click “Functions”.
4. Select a category “Statistical”
form down arrow.
5. Select “COUNTIF” from the list of
functions.
6. Click “OK” button.
7. Select the range which you want
to count nonblank cells using
drag and drop.
8. Type the criteria which is the
condition in the form of a number,
expression or text that defines
which cells will be counted.
9. Click “OK” button. 228
Statistical functions (MAX)
Returns the largest value in a set of values
or within a range. For example, if A3, B3,
C3, D3 and E3 contains 20, 50, 80, 60 and
45 respectively then
=MAX(A3:E3)
=MIN(A3:E3)
=RANK(A2,$A$3:$A$8,1)
233
Steps of “RANK” function
1. Select the cell where you want to
return the position.
2. Click “fx” on the formula bar.
3. Type the “RANK” in the search
box.
4. Click “GO” button.
5. Select a function “RANK” from
the recommended list.
6. Click “OK” button.
7. Select the cell which you want to
find the rank.
8. Select the range of reference
which is an array of, a reference
to, a list of numbers.
9. Type “1” in the “Order” box if you
want to display descending.
10. Type “Enter” key. 234
Statistical functions (MODE)
Returns the most frequently occurring
value in a set of values
e.g. =Mode(A10:E10)
235
Steps of “MODE” function.
1. Select the cell where you want to
return the mode value.
2. On the “Insert” menu.
3. Click “Functions”.
4. Select a category “Statistical”
5. Select a “MODE” from the list.
6. Click “OK” button.
7. Select the range in the “Number1”
box where you want to calculate
the mode using drag and drop.
8. If you want to multiply other
range, insert that range in the
“Number 2” box using drag and
drop.
9. Click “OK” button. 236
Logical functions (IF)
It returns a specified value if a condition is
evaluated and found to be true and
another value if it’s false e.g. IF (mean
score>50,”Pass”, else ”Fail”. It will display
Pass. If values are more than 50 else
displays Fail.
237
Steps of “IF” function.
1. Select the cell where you want to
return the IF value.
2. Click “fx” button on the formula bar.
3. Type “IF” in the search box.
4. Click “GO” button.
5. Select “IF” from the recommended list.
6. Click “OK” button.
7. Type any formula in the “Logical_test”
box which is any value or expression
that can be evaluated to TRUE or
FALSE.
8. Type any words or figure in the
“value_if_true” box you want to display
if value is true. You can nest up to 7 IF
function.
9. Type any other words or figure in the
“value_if_false” you want to display if
value is false.
10. Click “OK” 238
Date and time functions (TODAY)
Returns a number that represents today’s
date. The function takes no arguments.
For example, by the time of writing this
book,
=TODAY()
returned 17/05/2012
239
Steps of “TODAY” function
1. Select the cell where you want to
return the TODAY value.
2. On the “Insert” menu.
3. Click “Function”. (Insert Function
dialog box is displayed).
4. Select a category “Date & Time.
5. Select a function “TODAY” from
the list.
6. Click “OK” button. (other dialog
box is displayed which is written
“This function takes no
arguments).
7. Click “OK” button. (today’s date is
displayed where you select the
cell).
240
Date and time functions (NOW)
Returns the current date and time
formatted as date and time. It takes no
arguments. For example,
=NOW()
241
Steps of “NOW” function
1. Select the cell where you
want to return the “NOW”
value.
2. Click “fx” button on the
formula bar.
3. Type “NOW” in the search
box.
4. Click “GO” button.
5. Select a function “NOW” from
the list.
6. Click ”OK” button. (other
dialog box is displayed which
is written “This function takes
no arguments).
7. Click “OK” button. (today’s
date is displayed where you
select the cell). 242
Date and time functions (DATE)
Functions returns a serial number that
represents a particular date. MS-Excel
uses year 1900 serial number 1. for
example,
=DATE(112, 17, 5)
245
Steps of “delete worksheet range”
1. Select the cell or range
of cells.
2. On the “Edit” menu.
3. Point to “Clear”.
4. Click “All”, “Formats”,
“Contents” or
“Comments”.
2. On the “Insert”
menu.
3. Click “Rows” or
“Columns”
249
Steps of “delete a column or row”
3. Click “Delete”
250
Steps of “insert more worksheets”
1. On the “Insert”
menu.
2. Click “Worksheet”.
(a new worksheet is
added into your
workbook.
251
Steps of “delete a worksheet”
1. Click the
“Worksheet” tab
which you want to
delete.
252
Find and replace
MS-Excel provides capability to find and
replace data in a worksheet same as MS-
Word.
253
Steps of “Find” function
1. On “Edit” menu.
2. Click “Find”. (Find and
replace dialog box is
displayed).
3. Type the text to search
for in the “Find What”
box.
4. Click “Find All” or “Find
next”.
NB; shortcut key
Ctrl + F
254
Steps of “replace” function
1. On “Edit” menu.
2. Click “Replace”. (Find and
Replace” dialog box is
displayed).
3. Type the word or phrase to
find in the “Find What” box.
4. Type the word or phrase to
replace the found word or
phrase in the “Replace
With” box.
5. Click “Replace All” or
“Replace”.
NB; shortcut key
Ctrl + H 255
Steps of “correcting spelling mistakes”
1. On the “Tool” menu.
2. Click “Spelling”
(Spelling dialog box is
displayed).
3. Click a button. Ignore
Once, Ignore All, Add
to Dictionary, Change,
Change All or
AutoCorrect.
NB; shortcut key
F7 256
Steps of “Formatting label”
1. Highlight the cells that
have the text to be
formatted.
2. On the “Format” menu.
3. Click “Cells” (Format
Cells dialog box is
displayed).
4. Click the “font” tab.
5. Select the type of font,
font style, size,
underline, color and
other effects.
6. Click “OK” button.
257
Steps of “formatting numbers”
1. Highlight the cells that
have the numbers to be
formatted.
2. Click the “Format” menu.
3. Click “Cells”. (Format
Cells dialog box is
displayed).
4. Select the “Number” tab.
5. Select the type of
number from the
category list.
6. Click “OK” button.
258
Types of formatting numbers
Number Meaning
General General format cells have no specific number format.
Number Used for general display of numbers e.g. 2345.23.
Currency For displaying general monetary values e.g. $100, Ksh.10.
Accounting Lines up the currency symbols and decimal points.
Date Displays date in chosen format.
Time Displays time in chosen format.
Percentage Multiplies the value in a cell with 100 and displays it as %.
Text Formats cells to the treated as text even when numbers are
entered.
2. Pressing “Ctrl + A”
(whole worksheet
was highlighted).
267
Steps of “using autoformat”
1. Select a range e.g.
A2:N10 to set an
autoformat.
2. On the “Format”
menu.
3. Click “Autoformat”.
(AutoFormat dialog
box is displayed).
4. Select a autoformat
from the list.
5. Click “OK” button. 268
Data management
Sometimes worksheet data can be too
large and make it difficult for the user to
properly manage it. MS-Excel has tools
and features which enables the user to
manage their data.
269
The feature includes
Sorting – with this feature spreadsheet can sort
information by row or columns alphabetically or
numerically in ascending or descending order.
Subtotals – MS-Excel can automatically
summarize data by calculating subtotals and
grand total values in a list.
Forms – this is a specially prepared template
that the user can use to enter data is a
worksheet.
Filtering – it’s a quick and efficient method of
finding and working with a subject of data in a
list. In MS-Excel there are two filtering
commands. 270
Steps of “data entry using forms”
1. Position the cell
pointer in any cell
containing data.
2. On the “Data”: menu
3. Click “Form” (dialog
box is displayed).
4. Navigate through,
add new, delete or
find records.
5. Click “OK” button.
271
Steps of “Sorting” function
1. Select any sell where you wish
sort by clicking its column
header letter.
2. On the “Data” menu.
3. Click “Sort”. (Sort dialog box is
displayed).
4. In the “Sort by” section, select
the field for sorting.
5. Select the sort order
descending or ascending.
6. Select the field for sorting and
sort order if you want to set
more.
7. In the “My data range has”
section, select “Header row” or
“No header row”.
8. Click “OK” button. 272
Types of filtering in a MS-Excel
Autofilter – uses simple criteria and
includes filter by selection. Autofiltering
can be applied to only one list on a
worksheet at a time.
273
Steps of “Autofiltering a list”
1. Select a cell in the list
where you want to set an
autofilter.
2. On the “Data” menu.
3. Point to “Filter”.
4. Click “Autofilter”. (down
arrow buttons are
displayed in the header
row of data range).
5. You can sort or display
any data from the list.
274
Steps of “using custom autofilter”
278
Steps of “set data validation” 1
1. Highlight the range
of cells to validate.
2. On the “Data” menu.
3. Click “Validation”.
(Validation dialog
box is displayed).
4. Click “Setting” tab.
5. Select a validation
criteria each boxes.
279
Steps of “set data validation” 2
6. Click the “Input Message”
tab.
7. Type the title and message
in the each box.
8. Check “Show input
message when cell is
selected”. If you want to
display.
9. Click the “Error” alert” tab.
10. Select the style of error
alert from the list.
11. Type title and message in
the each box for error alert.
12. Click “OK” button. 280
Charts / graphs
These are pictures that represent values
and their relationships. A chart helps the
reader to quickly see trends in data and be
able to compare and contrast aspects of
data.
281
Types of charts
Line chart
Columns chart
Bar chart
Pie chart
Scatter chart
2. Click “Setup”
command. (Page Set
up dialog box is
displayed).
291
Steps of “Print preview and page adjustment” 3
292
Steps of “Print preview and page adjustment” 3
5. In the “Header/Footer”
tab, you can insert
some data e.g.
characters, page
number, picture or etc
which you want to
display.
6. In the “Sheet” tab, you
can set print area, title,
order and other options.
7. Click “OK” button.
293
Steps of “Print from print preview window”
294
In creation of charts there must be
Data range – this is a rectangular block of
cells that provides the base data that is
used to create the chart.
Label – each representation of data on a
chart can either be labelled by a value or
text.
Legend – this is a key that explains what
each colour or pattern of the data
representation in the chart means. 295
Review questions 1
1. Define a spreadsheet.
2. What is an electronic spreadsheet?
3. State four advantages of an electronic spreadsheet over:
A) Manual spreadsheets.
B) Electronic calculator.
4. Explain three components of a spreadsheet.
5. State five application areas of spreadsheets.
6. What is forecasting? How can a spreadsheet help a person to do this?
7. Give any two methods you can to start MS-Excel.
8. Differentiate between a formula and a function.
9. Write the following formula as absolute =F10+G20.
10. The formula =A1+C2 is initially typed in cell D1. what will it be when copied
to cell E1?
11. Differentiate between a worksheet and a workbook.
12. How can you close a MS-Excel worksheet without exiting from the
application? 296
Answer of review questions 1-1
1. A ledger sheet is made up of rows and columns for entering/writing data.
2. A computer software that looks like the manual ledger sheet with rows and
columns used for entering data and manipulating numerical data.
3. A). Manual spreadsheet.
1. Electronic spreadsheet has large worksheet as compared to manual
worksheet.
2. Electronic spreadsheet has inbuilt formulae called functions that are
nonexistent in manual worksheet.
3. Electronic spreadsheet uses the power of the computer quickly carry out
operations.
4. Superior formatting and editing qualities of electronic spreadsheet make
it better than the manual worksheet.
B). Electronic calculator.
1. Has more memory than a calculator.
2. Able to perform more complex and even logical operations but a
calculator cannot.
3. Uses large storage capacity of computer that a calculator doesn’t have.
297
4. Large work area that a calculator does not have.
Answer of review questions 1-2
4. Worksheet, database and graphs
5. Scientific applications, accounting, forecasting, data
management and mathematical operations.
6. Predicting future trends using the goal seek command.
7. A). Double click the shortcut icon on the desktop or.
B). Select MS-Excel from the programs menu.
8. Formulae – arithmetic and user developed while
functions – inbuilt formulae. Some of them are macro
functions.
9. =$F$10+$G$20
10. =B1+D2
11. One page in a workbook is called a worksheet.
12. Click the File-close command.
298
Review questions 2
1. State the effect of pressing each of the following key combinations on the
cell pointer:
A) Right arrow key
B) Shift + Tab
C) Ctrl + Home
2. Define each of the following:
A) Cell
B) Row
C) Column
3. Write the equivalent R1C1 reference for G20.
4. What is a name reference? How can you accomplish this in Excel?
5. What is a template? Explain how can start a spreadsheet template in MS-
Excel.
6. State four data types acceptable to spreadsheets and explain each of them.
7. Differentiate between single and multiple cell referencing.
8. What is a range? 299
Answer of review questions 2
1. A). Moves cell pointer to the cell on the right.
B). Moves cell pointer to the cell on the left.
C). Moves cell pointer to cell A1
2. A). Intersection between row and column.
B). Horizontal arrangement of cells.
C). Vertical arrangement of cells.
3. R20C7
4. It is a cell reference that is a name. To name a range, select it then type a
name in the name box then press enter key to apply the name.
5. A pre-formatted worksheet document used as a master layout for others. To
start a template:
i. Click File-New command.
ii. In the new dialog box click the spreadsheet solutions tab then double click the
template that you wish to start.
6. Values, Labels, Formulae, Functions.
7. Single referencing – for one cell, e.g. A1 while multiple referencing – for
many cells, e.g. A1:B3
8. A group of rectangular cells. 300
Review questions 3
Match the following
statements with the
correct answers.
301
Answer of review questions 3
a. C
b. A
c. B
d. D
302
Review questions 4
1. Differentiate between the following
terms:
A) Formula and function.
B) Relative and absolute cell referencing.
C) Relational and arithmetic operators.
D) DATE() and TODAY() function.
2. The formula $A1 + B$1 was entered cell
C1. How would the formula be, if copied
to F2? 303
Answer of review questions 4
1. Differentiate
A) Formulae are mathematical expressions while a
function is an inbuilt formula.
B) Relative reference adjusts to reflect the new location
while absolute reference do not change.
C) Relational operators returns a boolean value (True
or False) while arithmetic operators are used for
performing basic arithmetic operations.
D) DATE() returns serial number that represents a
particular data while TODAY() returns a number that
represents today date.
2. $A2 + E$1
304
Revision questions 1
1. Describe two ways to complete an entry into a cell.
2. How does MS-Excel determine that an entry is a text or
a formula?
3. How do you clear (erase) the contents of a cell?
4. How can you copy a formula?
5. Explain how you can print a worksheet in landscape
orientation.
6. How can you insert rows in a MS-Excel worksheet.
7. Differentiate between copying and moving data in a
worksheet.
8. What is the autoformat feature?
9. Explain the term filter. How is a filter different from a hide
command.
10. Why are forms needed in MS-Excel.
305
Answer of revision questions 1-1
1. A). Select a cell then type from the keyboard OR.
B). Select a cell then double click the formula bar and type the
value in the bar.
2. Formulae have equal sign at the beginning while text has
either letters or a combination of letters and numbers.
3. Select cell then press delete key on the keyboard.
4. Click the cell that has the formula then click the Edit-Copy
command. Click the cell to copy to then click the Edit-Paste
command.
5. 1). Click File-Page setup command, choose landscape.
2). On the margins tab of the page setup dialog box, select the
page orientation then click OK button.
306
3). Send document to printer.
Answer of revision questions 1-2
6. Click the Insert-Rows command.
7. Copying – makes duplicate of data.
Move – relocates data from one section of
document to another.
8. A feature that applies a pre-formatted feature on
a selected range of the worksheet.
9. A filter hides all the rows that do not have a
particular selected value in a column while hides
the entire row/column.
10. A). A form helps users to enter values in a table
with minimum errors.
B). It hides the base data of the table hence
enhances data security. 307
Revision questions 2
1. Give two examples of charts that you know.
2. Why are charts important in a spreadsheet?
3. Explain the concept of subtotals.
4. What is sorting? Explain how you can sort data in
ascending order.
5. Give three number formats in MS-Excel.
6. What re worksheet borders? Explain how to implement
them in the worksheet.
7. What is the difference between printing a range and
whole workbook.
8. Explain two ways of changing the font size in MS-
Excel.
9. What is a legend?
10. Which chart type will be most suitable to show trends?
308
Answer of revision questions 2-1
1. Pie charts, line charts, bar charts, scatter charts,
column charts.
2. A chart represents sets of data in pictorial form hence
makes the data easier to understand and interpret.
3. Subtotals command groups and finds totals of similar
data records in the spreadsheet.
4. Sorting is arranging data values in a particular order.
a. Highlight data range to be sorted.
b. Click Data-Sort command.
c. In the sort dialog box, select the order of sort in the
key field as ascending then click OK.
5. Number, text, fraction, currency, scientific and time etc.
309
Answer of revision questions 2-2
6. Are printable borders inserted around cell borders.
6. Select the range then click Format-Cells command.
7. On the Borders tab, select the border styles then click
OK to apply.
7. Print range – print a selected workbook group of cells in a
worksheet.
Print whole – print the entire workbook that has data.
8. A). Highlight range then select font size from formatting
toolbar.
B). Highlight cell, click format – cell – Font – Size – Adjust.
9. Is a key that shows the meaning of different data values in
a graph that are usually represented by different colours.
10. A line chart.
310
Practical activity 1
Row Label Value 1. Study table right and
1. Rent 650
enter its values in a
worksheet.
2. Utilities 13,200
2. Save the worksheet as
3. Salaries 15,700
My Budget.
4. Loan 1,700
repayment 3. Select the range i.e. from
top to bottom and press
5. Insurance 1,040
policy
delete key on the
keyboard.
6. Office supplies 12,000
4. Click Edit – undo to
7. Fixed costs 44,290
reverse the delete action.
311
Practical activity 2
Using the grading
Marks grade
system given below,
create a worksheet 80-100 A
that can be used to
calculate end of term 70-79 B
examination marks
and assign grades 60-69 C
based on the 50-59 D
following grading
system: 40-49 E
save the workbook as Below 40 Fail
Exam Grades. 312
Practical activity 3
1. Prepare the
following
worksheet.
2. Save the worksheet
as Account.
3. Calculate the total
amount.
4. Print the worksheet
on landscape
orientation. 313
Practical activity 4
Financial comparison for October 2011.
MIWANI ENTERPRISES.
1. Save the worksheet as Miwani.
2. Add up the total for:
A) Income; and
317
Traditionally filling methods
This is the old way of
organising files. This method
is where data is stored within
a single paper file or table.
318
Computerised database
Thisdatabase use database
management system software(DBMS) to
manipulate data. Examples of DataBase
Management Software (DBMS) include:
MS-Access
Oracle
FoxPro
Dbase IV
319
Disadvantages of traditional methods
Unnecessary duplication of data.
324
Hierarchical model – in this model
items are arranged in hierarchical
(tree) form. To access level one data
items, you have to first access level
one data items. A specific single path
leads to each item at lower levels.
325
Network model – in this model,
links are used to express the
relationship between different
data items, forming a network of
items. Access of one item can be
through many paths and from
any item.
326
Object oriented model – in this model,
database is a complete program built to
hold a collection of objects, which have
both properties and behaviour.
327
Features of database include:
Tables/file structure –
this is database
structure that is used
to hold related
records.
328
Form/Screen input – this is
a graphical interface that
resembles the ordinary
paper form used to collect
data. It enables the user to
view and enter data into a
table.
Report – database
provides the user with a
tool for generating reports
from a table or query.
329
Modules – this tool is like the macro but
it’s more precise in the sense that you
have control over the actions taken.
[Link]
you have added all of your fields, save the table:
•On the File tab, click Save.
333
CREATE A DATABASE CALLED CAR BUSINESS ON THE DESKTOP
CREATE A TABLE CALLED CARS WITH THE BELOW FIELDS
MAKE CAR REG NO THE PRIMARY KEY
CREATE A FORM USING THE WIZARD CALLED CAR FORM
AND USE IT TO ENTER THE RECORDS IN THE TABLE ABOVE
MAKE CAR REG YEAR PRICE GARAGE
NO
Mercedes C280 Elegance 1 96 25995 M
Triumph TR6 2 73 20495 G
BMW Z3 3 96 16995 G
Porsche 993 Coupe 4 96 56995 B
Mercedes E200 Classic 5 97 23995 B
Aston Martin 6 89 79995 M
Ferrari 255 Spider 7 96 92950 G
Audi A3 1.8SE 8 98 19950 B
Porsche Turbo S 9 98 127950 M
Lotus Elise 10 97 21750 G
Rover 216S 11 89 4295 B
Metro 1.1L 12 93 7295 G
Rover 216SL 13 93 10995 B
Maestro Clubman 14 91 4995 B
Volvo 440GL 15 90 5995 G
Renault 19GTX 16 90 5995 G
Fiat Uno 45 17 92 4750 B
Montego 1.6LX 18 91 5495 B
Rover 220i Coupe 19 92 13995 B
Rover 620 GSi 20 93 18750 G 334
Metro 1.4GS 21 93 7595 B
CREATE A DATABASE CALLED football ON THE DESKTOP
CREATE A TABLE CALLED players WITH THE BELOW FIELDS
MAKE player id THE PRIMARY KEY
CREATE A FORM USING THE WIZARD CALLED player FORM
AND USE IT TO ENTER THE RECORDS IN THE TABLE ABOVE
335
Creating a database using MS-Access
1. Click “Start”.
2. Point to “Programs/All Programs”.
3. Point to “Microsoft Office”.
4. Click “Access 2003” (application is
opened).
5. On the task pane, click down arrow
sign of click “Getting Started”
(shortcut menu is displayed).
6. Select “New file”.
7. Click “Blank database” (File New
Database dialog box is displayed).
8. Select the location where you want
to create the database from the
arrow down list.
9. Type the name of database in the
file name box.
10. Click “Create” button.
Microsoft Access screen layout
Steps of “exiting from Access”
1. On the “File” menu.
2. Click “Exit.
350
Field properties 6
Indexed – it facilitates the organisation of
records for easy search.
2. On the “Insert”
menu.
3. Click “Delete”.
Steps of “editing fields”
1. Double click the field
you want to edit.
374
Form designer
You design or modify
a form layout by
dragging these
controls to the
required position.
Figure right shows a
form designer for a
table called exam
entry.
Creating a form layout using form wizard
386
Types of queries
Select query – most commonly used, it is
used for searching and analysing data in
one or more tables. It lets the user specify
the search criteria.
387
Types of action queries
Update – updates data in table.
Append query – adds data in a table from
one or more tables.
Make up table query – creates a new table
from a dynast.
Delete query – deletes specified records
from one or more tables.
388
Steps of “creating a select query using wizard” 1
7. Select “Detail” or
“Summary”.
2. Select “ascending”
or “descending”.
Steps of “delete fields from the query grid”
Detail – holds bound controls that display data items for the
table or query it was created from.
Page footer – holds a control that is to be displayed on every
page such as the page number and date. For example =Now()
displays the current date and time as set in the system clock.
Report footer – used to display summary from a report such as
the grand total for numerical data in a particular field column.
Creating a report
Using wizard
Just like the form wizard, report wizard takes
the user through a number of steps by
answering a few questions and MS-Access
automatically does the rest.
In design view
Justlike with forms, you can create a report in
design view by placing control on the report
design grid.
Steps of “create a report layout using wizard” 1
3. Select “Report
Wizard”.
1. Open MS-Access.
2. On the “File” menu.
3. Click “Open” (Open dialog
box is displayed).
4. Click arrow down sign of
“Open” button. (open menu
is displayed).
5. Open the database in
exclusive mode which you
want to set a password.
(Security Warning dialog box
is displayed).
6. Click “Open” button.
Steps of “setup a password in MS-Access” 2
1. On the “Tools”
menu.
2. Click “Startup”.
(Startup dialog box
is displayed).
3. Set startup options
e.g. “Application
Title”, “Application
Icon” or etc.
4. Click “OK” button.
Review questions 1
1. What is a relational database
management system?
2. Define the following terms: table, records
and field as used in databases.
3. State six major objects used to
manipulate data in MS-Access.
4. Explain how you can start and exit MS-
Access.
5. In MS-Access, what do the following
terms refer to: query, macro, module. 450
Answer of review questions 1
1. A relational database is a model where information is stored in
related structures called tables or relations.
2. Table: a structure used to store related records.
Records: related field that represents a single item or entity.
Field: logical combination of characters that can be manipulated
as a unit.
3. Objects which help the user easily manipulate and manage data
in a database include:
Tables, forms, queries, reports, macros, modules.
4. To start MS-Access, click start, point to programs then click MS-
Access. To exit, click file then exit or simply click the close
button on the title bar.
5. Query: a database feature used to analyse data in a table.
Macro: a feature used to automate database operations.
Module: a programming environment embedded in MS-Access
used to automate database operations. 451
Review questions 2
1. Differentiate between a primary key and an
index.
2. What is normalization in reference to tables?
3. Describe various data types used in MS-
Access.
4. Explain how you would set a validation rule
when designing tables.
5. What are field properties?
6. What is the difference between a field name
and a caption? 452
Answer of review questions 2
1. Primary key – unique field used to identify each record uniquely
for easy access and manipulation.
An index – a key not necessarily unique used to arrange data in a
table.
2. Normalisation – a technique used to make a complex database
more efficient by breaking one large table into smaller related
tables.
3. Text, number, date/time, logical (yes/no), etc.
4. Setting validation rule:
A) Select the field you want to set validation rule to.
B) In the field properties section, click the insertion pointer in the
validation rule cell.
C) Type in the validation rule e.g. BETWEN 0 AND 100.
5. Field properties – characteristics of a field such as size, format,
etc.
6. Field name is a combination of characters that identifies a data
item whereas a caption is a full desc 453
Review questions 3
1. Define the following terms:
A) Form;
B) Bound and unbound control;
2. Differentiate between tabular and columnar form layout.
3. Explain how you would create a form without using a
form wizard.
4. Why would one prefer to use a form for data input rather
than entering directly into a table?
5. Explain how you would move from one record to
another in a form.
6. Draw a simple sketch of a form that can be used to
enter all subjects marks in an examination database.
454
Answer of review questions 3
1. Form – user interface that helps the user view records and easily
make entries into a table.
Bound controls – data field in a form layout grid that is used to
display data from the underlying table query.
Unbound control – data field in a form layout grid that is not based
on any data source.
2. Columnar form – display one record at a time with the fields
arranged downwards.
Tabular form – records are displayed across the screen from right
to left.
3. Click the design view from new form dialog box to display the form
design grid.
4. To provide an interface that let the user enter and view data easily.
5. Using the navigation button.
6. Student to use a word processor to sketch the form layout.
455
Review questions 4
1. Explain two tools you can use to search for data in a database.
2. What is Referential Integrity?
3. Differentiate between a table and a query.
4. Write down the criteria you would use to display employees’
details from a payroll database who earn between 90,000 and
240,000.
5. Explain how you would sort data in a query.
6. What is the difference between an action query and a select
query?
7. Explain what happens when you try to enter invalid data into a
related table for which referential integrity has been reinforced.
8. Explain how you would create a select query that would be
456
used to calculate your total score and average in ten subjects.
Answer of review questions 4
1. Query and find command.
2. A feature used to eliminate chances of entering non existing data
into child table., that do not exist in the primary table.
3. A table is a structure used to store related records while a query is
a component used to analyse data in a table.
4. Between 90,000 and 240,000.
5. 1). Click the cell that you want to use to sort a query in the sort row.
2). From the drop down list, select the sort order, i.e. descending or
ascending order.
6. Select query is used to search and analyse data in a table while
action query is used to make changes to underlying query or table.
7. Access gives a warning message and denies the user from entering
the next record.
8. Insert the totals function in a query then select SUM and AVG.
457
Revision questions
1. What is the importance of a report generated from a
database?
2. What is the difference between a report and a label?
3. Explain how you would create a report that displays
subtotals and grand totals.
4. Dr. Garaya is a pharmacist. She wants to generate
labels that she can use to stick to medicine bottles.
Explain to her how she can generate labels of different
sizes using MS-Access database.
5. Assuming you have been appointed as the sales
representative of an insurance company, explain how
you would create annual reports that would include the
company logo at the top of every page. 458
Answer of revision questions
1. Report – used to give a summarised information for the
purpose of presentation.
2. A report gives a summarised information for the
purpose of presentation while a label is a sticker placed
on an item for the purpose of identification or
description.
3. To create a report that displays subtotals and grand
totals, click summary options button in the report wizard
or create calculated controls in the report design grid in
the grouping field footer and report footer respectively.
4. Macros and modules.
5. See creating reports. To insert logo and drop it in the
page header in the report design grid.
459
Practical activity 1
Create a database
Field Name Data Type called Employees and
ID Number Text in it create a table
Last name Text
called customers with
the right fields:
First name Text
a. Save the Table as
Address Text CUSTOMER.
Town Text b. In the description
column, which is
Company Text optional, describe what
Date Dates/Time each field is for, e.g. ID
Salary Currency Number is the number
that identifies each
Married? Yes/No employee uniquely.460
Practical activity 2
A) In the database, create
a table called DVDs
with the right attributes:
B) Determine the following
in A above.
i. The primary key;
ii. The missing data types
and properties;
iii. Field captions.
C) Enter ten records into
the table.
461
Practical activity 3-1
Field name Data type
Create a table
Student number Text
named Exams in
First name Text
a COLLEGE
Last name Text
database with the
Maths Number fields:
Physics Number
Chemistry Number
Computer Science Number
Total Number
Position Number
Reporting Date Date/Time 462
Practical activity 3-2
Set the Student number as the primary key.
Using a data form, enter data for five students
as follows.
Student MATHS PHY CHEM COMPUTER
No.
2001 40 50 40 90
1983 60 70 57 30
2002 80 30 37 70
1513 30 63 80 70
463
Practical activity 3-3
Without using the form wizard, create a form for
the exams table such that the format is
displayed as below:
465
Practical activity 4-2
Enter the following records in the employees’ table:
466
Practical activity 4-3
Enter the following records in the bills table
PNo Bill No Date Employed Salary
201 1100 9-7-2004 3,000
203 1200 16-7-2004 7,000
201 2000 24-7-2004 2,000
208 1340 16-6-2004 800
204 1430 18-7-2004 1,700
467
Practical activity 4-4
Create a calculated query based on the
two tables that will calculate and display
the following:
468
Practical activity 5
1. Open the Riceland database and generate a report that
displays the following:
1. Employee name, the gross salary, allowances and the net pay.
2. Subtotals and grand totals for all the employees.
3. The current date and time.
2. You have been requested by the School Principal to create a
school database that includes the following:
1. Four departments (Maths, Science, Humanities and Technical subjects);
2. Members of staff in each department;
3. Subjects offered in a department.
1. From the database, generate a grouped report for all members of
staff in each department.
2. Create labels to be placed at the door of every head of department’s
office. 469
Chapter 4
DESKTOP
PUBLISHING
KipsanguiBoys high school
Form two work
470
Introduction
Desktop publishing is application software
used in producing publication work within
the computer framework of art and design.
Microsoft Publisher is gaining ground due
to its ease of use like other Microsoft
Office programs.
471
Samples of publication
Examples of publications
Cards Newspaper
Posters Calendars
473
Desktop publishing can be used in
Designing texts and images
Producing publications
Creating illustrations
Editing texts and graphics
Composing templates
474
Purpose of desktop publisher
Graphics design – a typesetter can create and
edit very complex text and graphical objects like
pictures to finest details.
Page layout design – the user can be able to
design a page layout by setting consistent
picture and objects locations dividing page in a
number of columns and creating layer.
Printing – the main purpose of desktop publisher
is to produce publications, therefore it helps the
user prepare what is referred to as an artwork in
commercial circles for printing.
475
Types of desktop publishing software
Graphical based – they are specifically
developed to edit and format graphic
objects like pictures e.g. Adobe
Photoshop, Coral draw, Harvard graphic
etc.
Layout based – these types of desktop
publishers are specifically developed to
create different page layout designs for
text and pictures e.g. MS-Publisher, 476
MS-Publisher 2003 window
477
Parts of MS-Publisher window 1
1. Paste board – it’s a large blank area where you
place text and graphical objects before arranging
them on the printable area.
2. Printable area – it’s the area surrounded by
margins on the pasteboard.
3. Tool box – it’s a set of buttons that contains
various tools used to create and manipulate
publication.
4. Master page icon – it’s placed at the bottom of the
publication window and holds icons representing
each page in the publication. A master page is
used to design the general layout that needs to be
applied in all other pages of the publication. 478
Parts of MS-Publisher window 2
5. Rulers – they help the user to manually create
ruler guides, which are nonprinting extensions
and also to measure an object size.
6. Control palette – it’s a shortcut tool bar mainly
having text and paragraph formatting
commands icons.
7. Tracking and kerning – tracking refers to
changing the visual denseness or openness of
character in a line while kerning is fixing
particular pair of letters that is too close or too
far apart from each other.
479
Tool of MS-Publisher 2003
1. Select Objects – select,
move and resize text blocks
and graphical objects.
2. Horizontal and Vertical Text
Box – insert text boxes.
3. Insert Table – insert tables.
4. Insert WordArt – insert
wordarts.
5. Picture Frame – create a
frame for paste a picture.
6. Line – draw straight lines
any direction. 480
Tool of MS-Publisher 2003
7. Arrow – draw straight arrow
lines any direction.
8. Oval – draw ovals
autoshape.
9. Rectangle – draw squares
and rectangles.
10. Autoshape – insert other
types of autoshape.
11. Design Gallery Object –
insert design gallery objects.
481
Steps of “Starting Publisher 2003”
1. From the “Start”
menu.
2. Point to “Programs/All
Programs”.
3. Point to “Microsoft
Office”.
4. Click “Microsoft Office
Publisher 2003”.
(Publisher window is
displayed).
Steps of “open the new print publication from design template
1. Select a category of
design templates
from task pane e.g.
“Publications for
print”, “Web Site and
E-mail” or etc.
2. Click a template you
want to create from
the list. (Template is
displayed).
Steps of “open the new blank print publication 1
3. Press “Delete” or
“Backspace” key.
Steps of “delete a text object”
1. Click “Select Object”
command on the object
toolbar.
3. Press “Delete” or
“Backspace” key.
Steps of “copy a block of text”
1. Click “Select Object”
command on the object
toolbar.
2. Highlight the block of text.
3. On the “Edit” menu.
4. Click “Copy”.
5. On the “Edit” menu.
6. Click “Paste”.
7. Move the copied block of text
where you want to paste.
3. On the formatting
tool bar, choose font
style, size and other
attributes.
Steps of “format text to superscript”
1. Click “Select Object”
command on the object
toolbar.
2. Highlight the text to be
superscripted.
3. On the “Format” menu.
4. Click “Font” (Font dialog
box is displayed).
5. In the “Effects” section,
check in the box of
“Superscript”.
6. Click “OK” button.
Steps of “format text to subscript”
1. Click “Select Object” on
the object toolbar.
2. Highlight the text to be
subscripted.
3. On the “Format” menu.
4. Click “Font” (Font dialog
box is displayed).
5. In the “Effects” section,
check in the box of
“Subscript”.
6. Click “OK” button.
Paragraph and page formatting
Paragraph formatting involves aligning
text, indenting, adding column guides,
inserting headers and footers.
Inserting column guides – by default, a page
is made up of one column.
Headers and footers – headers are lines of
text, page numbers or dates that appears at
the top of every page. Footers on the other
hand, appear at the bottom of every page.
Steps of “create more than one columns”
535
Chapter 5
Internet and e-mail
KipsanguiBoys high
school
536
Internet
It’s a large network of networks that covers
the whole world and enables millions of
computers from different organisations
and people to communicate globally.
537
Description of Internet
The term Internet refers
to global interconnection
of computer networks for
the purpose of
communication and
resource sharing. Figure
left shows how
computes and computer
networks are
interconnected to form
the Internet. 538
Development of Internet (1969)
In 1969, a research body in USA (ARPA)
Advance Research Project Agency set up
a computer network that connected for
universities and was given the name
ARPANET. ARAP’s goal was to allow
multiple users to send and receive
information at the same time.
539
Development of Internet (1973-1981)
By 1973, e-mail was the most common
service on the Internet. By 1981, many
people had seen the importance of
computer networking and the Internet.
ARAPnet formed the backbone on which
many organisations started connecting to,
hence expanding it.
540
Development of Internet (1987-1994)
By 1987, the Internet boasted of 10,000
host computers. As the importance of
Internet grew, businesses spent billions of
dollars to improve it in order to offer batter
services to their clients. By 1994, 3 million
computers were connected to Internet.
Today the Internet has grown and covered
the whole world.
541
Importance of Internet
The importance of Internet can be seen
through its contribution to;
Research activities
News and information dissemination
Leisure
Communication
Business Transaction etc.
542
Internet Connectivity Requirements
Telecommunication facilities
Satellite transmission
Modem
Wireless telecommunication
Internet Service Providers (ISP’s)
Internet Software
543
Telecommunication facilities
Internet relies on telecommunication
facilities like telephone lines, telephone
exchange station and satellite
transmission in order to cover the whole
world. Therefore a computer is connected
to the external world through a telephone
line and has to dial a remote computer on
the net to establish connection for data
transfer.
544
Satellite transmission
Intercontinental transfer of
data is achieved by having
satellite base stations
transmitting the data through
a wireless uplink channel to
the satellite. The satellite then
sends the data signal to the
base station on another
continent where it is picked
up and sent to telephone
exchanges for transfer to the
destination computer. Figure
left shows a logical local and
intercontinental connectivity.
545
Modem
It’s a special digital to analog interface
card that changes data from digital to
analog so as to be transmitted on
telephone lines and on receiving end the
data is changed from analog to digital for
computer to understand.
546
Wireless telecommunication
With the dynamic growth in mobile
communication and computing, it is now
possible to access Internet using devices such
as mobile phones, PDAs and notebook PCs.
Heard about Wireless Fidelity to a hotspot?
550
Internet Service 1
E-mail – this is the exchange of electronic
letters, data and graphics on the Internet.
555
Accessing the Internet
Applications that
enable a user to
access the Internet
are called Web
browsers e.g.
Netscape Navigator,
Internet Explorer,
Mozilla browser etc.
556
Login/Sign In
To access a website, type the full address of
the website in the address bar then press
enter key. Some websites allow free access
to all their pages by all visitors. However
others require people to be members hence
a new visitor has to register (sign up). The
registration process gives the visitor a user
name, pass word that can be used to sign
in or log on the website for each visit.
557
Surf/Browse
Surfing /Browsing is the process of
accessing Internet resources like web
pages and website.
558
Parts of Internet Explorer window
559
Uniform Resource Locator
The Uniform Resource Locator (URL), simply
referred to as the web address, connects the
user to a particular website. The URL has two
basic parts.
Protocol – standard used to connect to the resource
e.g. hypertext transfer protocol ([Link] and file
transfer protocol ([Link] For example, if you type
[Link] Google home page is
displayed.
Domain name – name of the web server where the
resource is located. 560
Navigation toolbar
The navigation toolbar (Figure below), consists
of buttons you can easily use to navigate the
web. These include; back, forward, refresh,
home, search and stop
561
Functions of each button on the navigation toolbar 1
564
How to use favorites
To bookmark a site;
1. On the Favorites menu, click “Add to Favorites”
2. Type or click “OK” to accept the name of the
new favorite.
3. To make the site available off-line, check
“Make available off-line”.
To view or visit your favorite later;
1. Open the Windows Explorer.
2. Locate the favorites folder and open it.
3. Click the favorite you wish to view. 565
Hyperlinks and Search Engines
A Hyperlink is a text or picture on an
electronic document, especially web page
that causes web pages to open when the
link is clicked.
566
Search Engine
It’s a program that
searches documents
for specified keywords
and returns a list of the
documents where the
keywords were found.
The common search
engine includes;
Google, Yahoo, MSN
etc.
567
Downloading
After searching and
finding information on
the net, you may want
to save the information
locally on your
computer. The process
of transferring
information from a
remote computer to a
local storage is called
downloading.
568
Printing a web page
1. Click “Print” button
on the “Navigation”
toolbar. (Print
dialog box is
displayed).
2. In the “General” tab,
select a printer
which you want to
use.
3. Set other options.
4. Click “Print” button.
569
Electronic Mail (E-mail)
Electronic mail refers to the sending and
receiving of electronic letters and
documents on the Internet.
570
E-mail Software
E-mail Software falls
under communication
software that are
designed to help the
user to read and send
individual text
documents on the
Internet so long as
the sender and
receiver have an e-
mail address.
571
E-mail Facilities
Mails
File Attachment
On-line meeting
Telephone messages
575
How to check an e-mail in Yahoo
1. Sign in using your
“ID” and “password”.
2. Click “Check mail”
button then “Inbox”
3. In the “Inbox” list
(figure left), click the
subject of the mail to
read.
4. Read the mail. Open
an attachment if any. 576
How to check an e-mail in Outlook Express
1. Launch “Outlook
Express” from the
taskbar.
e.g. ta19791031@[Link]
583
How to attaching files into an e-mail
1. Click the “Attachment”
button on the toolbar.
2. In the Dialog box that
appears, select the
file(s) to attach.
3. Click “Attach” button to
attach the files.
585
Telephone messages
Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) makes it
possible to send e-mail to a mobile
handset and a mobile message to e-mail
account.
586
Contact Management
Most mails programs allow the user to
develop an address book which holds
contact information like e-mail address of
different people.
587
How to add a contact in Outlook express
1. From “Tools” menu.
2. Click “Address Book”.
3. In the “Address Book”
window, click the “New
Contact” button.
4. Enter the contact details
including the e-mail
address (figure left).
5. Click the “Add” button to
add the contact into the
list, then close the
address book.
588
How to add a contact in Yahoo mail
1. From “CONTACT”
menu
596
Answer of review questions 3
1. Composing and 2. Outlook express:
sending e-mail. 1. From “Tools” menu, click
“Address Book”.
1. Click the compose 2. In the “Address Book” window,
button. click the “New Contact” button.
2. Type the recipient 3. Enter the contact details
address or get it from including the e-mail address.
the address book. 4. Click the “Add” button to add
the contact into the list, then
3. Type in the subject of close the address book.
the message.
Yahoo mail:
4. Type in the message 1. Click the e-mail address of the
in the message box. sender.
5. Click the Send 2. Click “Add” to contacts button.
button. 3. 597
Enter other contact details.
Revision questions 1
1. Define the term Internet.
2. Explain the term web page format.
3. Explain the following Internet address
[Link] in reference to the
structure of a URL.
4. Define the term Internet telephony.
5. What is the World Wide Web (www)?
6. What is a browser?
7. Explain the process of loading a website.
8. Explain four uses of e-mail software.
598
Answer of revision questions 1-1
1. It is a network of networks that covers nearly the
whole world and enables transfer of messages,
data and information across continents.
2. A hypertext page prepared to display content on
the web.
3. http – hypertext transfer protocol.
www – world wide web.
Google – name of computer with web content.
.com – commercial organisation.
4. Transmission of voice data over the Internet.
599
Answer of revision questions 1-2
4. A virtual space on the Internet that allows web
pages and sites to be accessed. Interlinked
pages formatted in virtual language.
5. Software that allows viewing of web content.
6. Start the browser software like Internet
Explorer. Type the URL address of the web
page you wish to access in the address bar
then press the Enter key to load the website.
7. Sending/receiving text and attachments.
Sending fax.
Keeping address book.
Mobile mail to mobile devices. 600
Revision question 2
1. What is file download? Explain the procedure.
2. Explain the meaning of the word hyperlink.
3. Give three steps that you would follow to search for
information on the web.
4. What would you do if a website refused to load in the browser
on the first attempt?
5. What is a search engine?
6. Explain the meaning of the term Internet Service Provider
(ISP).
7. What three things apart from the computer are needed for one
to be connected to the Internet?
8. What is a protocol? Write th3e following in full: TCP/IP, HTML,
601
HTTP and ftp.
Answer of revision questions 2-1
1. Downloading or saving files from remote hosts on the Internet
on to your computer.
Procedure
i. Right click the link to the file.
ii. Select the “Save” target as command.
iii. Select a folder and name for the file in the “Save as” dialog box then
click “Save”.
2. A text or a picture that is a link to another webpage on the
Internet.
3. Check newsrooms for latest information on the topic then use a
search engine to look for links to the information required.
4. Click the refresh button on toolbar.
5. A search engine is a special program that collects and stores
links to information websites allowing user to search its
database for them. 602
Answer of revision questions 2-2
6. A company that offers Internet services to end users.
7. Modems, Internet software, Internet service provider,
telecommunication lines, TCP/IP protocols.
8. Modem – term stands for modulator demodulator. A
device that enables telecommunication use telephone
lines.
9. Are special communication rules that govern sending
and receiving of messages by computers on a
network.
protocol (TCP).
Internet protocol (IP).
Hypertext markup language (HTML).
Hypertext transmission protocol (HTTP). 603
File transfer protocol (fip).
Practical activity 1
1. If the computers in the laboratory are
connected to the Internet check on the
following.
a. The TCP/IP address of one of the computer
b. The DNS server address of your service
provider.
2. Using a laptop or mobile phone that is
configured with GPRS and a Bluetooth or
Wi-Fi connectivity, establish an Internet
connection. 604
Practical activity 2
1. Launch Internet explorer and use it to visit one of the
academic sites such as a high school, colleges or universities.
2. Download a PDF file from the academic site you have chosen.
3. Create and send an e-mail to a friend inviting him/her for a
birthday party to be held on the coming Sunday. The mail
should include a picture of a cake.
4. Using a search engine, find information on the historical
development of the Internet. Copy and paste the material you
get in a five page Microsoft Word document that has the
following structure;
1. Title page.
2. Introduction.
3. Historical development of the Internet.
4. Future trends.
5. Conclusion.
Edit, format and save the document as [Link] 605
Chapter 2
Data security
and controls
606
Data and information security
Protection of data and information against
unauthorised access or modification.
611
Types of Computer Viruses
Boot Sector – they destroy the booting information on
storage devices.
File Virus – attach themselves to files.
Hoax Virus – come as e-mail with an attractive subject
and launches itself when e-mail is opened.
Tronjans – they perform undesirable activities in the
background without user knowledge.
Worms – it sticks in the computer memory.
Back doors – may be a Trojan or Worm that allows
hidden access to a computer system. 612
Sources of viruses
Contact with contaminated systems.
Pirated software.
618
Control Measures against computer
errors and accidents
619
Theft
Theft plays a significant role in the loss or
damage of data. Theft of data happens
within an organisation with authorised
personnel stealing data for one reason or
another.
620
Control against Theft
Employ guards to keep watch over data
and information centres and backup.
Burglary proofs the computer room.
Reinforce weak access points like the
windows, doors with metallic grills.
Create backups in locations away from
main computing centre.
621
Computer crimes
Trespass – this is the act of gaining access or entering
into a computer system without legal permission.
Cracking – this refers to the use of guess work over
and over again, by a person until he/she finally
discovers a weakness in the security policies or codes
of software.
Hacking – this refers to intentionally breaking of codes
and passwords to gain unauthorised entry to computer
system data and information files.
Tapping – in this crime, a person sends an intelligent
program on a host computer that sends him
information from the computer.
Piracy – this refers to making illegal copies of
copyrighted software, information or data. 622
To eliminate Piracy
Make software cheap, enough to increase
affordability.
624
Sabotage
This is illegal destruction of data and
information with the aim of crippling
service delivery or causing great loss to an
organisation.
625
Alteration
This is illegal changing of data and
information without permission with the
aim of gaining or misinforming the
authorised users.
626
Information system failure
Some of the causes of computerized
information system failure include;
Hardware failure due improper use.
Unstable power supply as a result of
brownout or blackout and vandalism.
Network breakdown.
Natural disaster.
Program failure.
627
Control measures against hardware failure
Protect computers
against brownout or
blackout which may
cause physical
damage or data loss
by using surge
protectors and UPS
such as the one
shown on figure left.
628
Detection and protection against computer crimes 1
630
Detection and protection against computer crimes 3
631
Difficulty in detection and
prevention of computer crimes
The crime might be complex.
634
Answer of revision questions 1-1
1. Private data –belongs to individual and held by him/her.
Confidential data – held by Government or organisation.
2. Because of its importance in transactions, sharer ability and high
value attached to it.
3. Unauthorised exposure.
Unauthorised access.
Destruction by natural calamities.
Fraudsters and computer crimestars.
4. Keep data and information in well secured and restricted places.
Use passwords and access permission policies to control access to
the data.
Use firewall to enforce security policy.
Audit trials to identify threats to data and information.
5. The stealing of data and information for commercial gain and to
cripple competitors.
635
Answer of revision questions 1-2
6. Hacking – breaking security codes.
Cracking – looking for weak access points in software
in order to get access to data and information.
7. For economic gain, Ego, etc.
8. Is the ensuring of safety of data and information
against threats.
9. Access can be made through the network.
10. Enforce copyright laws and other regulatory frame
works.
11. A virus is a destructive program that installs itself on
storage media causing improper functioning of the
computer system.
636
Revision questions 2
1. Give four general rules that must be observed to keep
within the law when working with data and information.
2. Explain two types of computer viruses.
3. What is a program patch? Why are patches important?
4. Explain measures you would take to protect computers from
virus attacks.
5. What is data alteration? Explain its effect on data.
6. How can you control errors related to data and information
entry?
7. Data and information security has recently become very
important. Explain why?
8. Explain eavesdropping with reference to computer crimes.
9. Why use copyright laws for software data and information
necessary? 637
Answer of revision questions 2-1
1. Data should not be used for gain unlawfully.
The owner of data and information has a right to know what
data is held by the person/organisation having it.
Do not collect irrelevant and overly too much information for
the purpose.
Data should not be disclosed without the owner’s permission.
2. Trojans.
Boot sector viruses.
Backdoors.
3. A software update that when incorporated in the current
software makes it better. They enable better performance of
computer system.
4. Install anti-virus software. Also restrict foreign storage media
in the computer room. 638
Answer of revision questions 2-2